Roger looked uncomfortable. He had never mentioned that expedition, not even to his mother during a very serious conversation on the sin of truancy.
"Oh, I met him on the cliff," he said evasively. "He showed me the cave and we went swimming. He is a corking swimmer."
"But why didn't you tell us about it?" persisted Frances.
Roger saw no way out. Being a truthful individual he blurted forth the facts.
"Because Mr. Max told me not to. He said it wasn't safe and he was afraid you girls would go fooling around and get caught by the tide. It isn't a fit place for girls, either!" he added largely.
"It is!" retorted the exasperated Frances. "If it wasn't, Miss Connie wouldn't have been there."
"I'd wager that Miss Connie did everything Mr. Max did," chuckled Win. "But the Colonel said to-day that the cave was out of the question so far as any hidden chest was concerned,—that it couldn't have escaped discovery all these years. I don't really expect to find anything, Mother, but it will be great fun to look. I've always wanted to search for hidden treasure, you know. And Miss Connie seemed as interested as I was. She has appointed next Wednesday afternoon to explore the vaults. We are all to come at three and stay for tea afterwards. At first she suggested that we have it in the cellars, said it would be nice and cobwebby and befitting a treasure hunt, but then she remembered that Yvonne was afraid of spiders and wouldn't fancy taking the tea things down," he ended with a laugh.
Win was tired that evening and went upstairs early. When Roger clattered into the adjoining room half an hour later, his brother called.
"Oh, you, Roger," he said, "come in here a jiff."
With a terrific yawn, Roger appeared in the doorway. Win was in bed, a lighted lamp on a table by his pillow.